Dry cleaning system



Aug. 8,1944. M B

DRY CLEANING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 29, 1939INVENTCR.

MA R10 B U S1 Aug. 8, 1944.

4 M. BUS] DRY CLEANING SYSTEM Original Filed Sept. 29, 1939 6Sheets-Sheet 2 iry i m @HEE@@ @EEWE INVENTOR. MARIO BUS] I Amway.

Aug. 8, 1944. M. BUS] DRY CLEANING SYSTEM Original Fii'ed Sept; 29, 19396 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIII'IIIJIII'IIIIIIIJI IIll'l'l 'IIIIIIIII'II I n uo u a I a l q I t O l O a a I II QIII IN V ENTOR. MA RIO E US! ATTORNEY.

Aug. 8 1944. M. BUS] DRY CLEANING SYSTEM e Sheets-Sheet 5 Original FiledSept. 29, 1939 INVENTOR.

MARI 0 BUS] A TTORNEY.

Aug. 8, 1944. M. BUSI DRY CLEANING SYSTEM Original Filed Se t. 29,

1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 PLUGS 2 12 E5 THERMOSTAT r 214 FANS DOOR INVENTOR. 4

MARIO BUS] ATTORNEY SAFETY SWITCH v Patented Aug. 8, 1944 Marlo Busi,New Yoi-k, N. Y., assignor to The ,Sil-

' ver Globe Corporation,

poration of New York Original application Sep edandthis New York, N. Y.,a cortember 29, 1939, Serial No. 297,070, now Patent No.

' April 13, 1953. Divid August 21, 1940, Serial No. 353,547

2,316,669, dated application 3 Claims. 01. 68-143) This patentapplication is a division of my copending patent application Serial No.297,070, filed September 29, 1939, now Patent 2,316,669. That parentcase is directed to a method of dry cleaning and to dry cleaningapparatus utilizing the step of circulating heated air through the 800dsin order to recover residual solvent, the apparatus including means forthis purpose. It is also directed to certain features of casingstructure and to a method of dry cleaning wherein a filtering mechanismwith a plurality of filterin sections is utilized. Thispresentapplifor-the partition or partitions in the rotatable washer or tumblerelement, which partitions are so designed as to secure theutilization ofan entirely new method of washing and drying. The

attainment of this new and improved washing method, wherein the goodsare cleansed by the action of the volatile solvent, this methodinvolving the use of imperforate partitions of novel and improveddesign, constitutes an important aimoi this invention.

f Various objects and-advantageous features of my invention, inadditionto those specifically cation is directed to an improved dry cleaningapparatus and method of dry cleaning wherein a washing tumbler providedwith a generally Z-shaped partition is utilized, said Z-shapedpartition, in cooperation with other parts of the apparatus, serving toeflect a new and improved method of dry cleaning. 7

This invention relates to a new and improvedmethod for the treatment ofgarments and fabrics, andis more particularly directed to an improvedmethod of dry cleaning in which a volatile solvent is utilized. ,Thesolvent may be benzene, carbon tetrachloride, perchlorethylene,trichlorethylene, etc. but I prefer to use perchlor ethylene.

This invention also relates to a new and. improved dry cleaningapparatus wherein a volatile solvent is utilized for cleaning thefabrics and garments. While this apparatus is particularly adapted forusein solvent dry cleaning operations, it might of course also be usedfor washing operations wherein a solvent not normally considered as avolatile solvent, such as water or water containing variouscleansingagents such as soa might be employed. This new and improvedapparatus provides not only for washing the garments or fabrics with thedry cleaning solvent, but also includes means for recovering thevolatile solvent from the garments and tabrics after they have beencleaned; The arrangement of my new and improved dry cleaning apparatusis so designed as to provide for a unit capable of handling commercialload capacities at a minimum operating and constructional cost. In otherwords, the design 01' my improved dry cleaning machine has been reducedto a simple and inexpensive construction which can be manufacturedcommercially and sold at prices much lower than those at which units ofequivalent capacity now known to the industry are marketed.

Still other objects of my invention include the provision oi a newandimproved construction set forth in the foregoing summary, will beapparent from the following description. A preferred mbodiment of myinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similarcharacters of reference designate corresponding Parts and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view-of the improved dry cleaning machine andassociated solvent purification and solvent treatment system, togetherwith the conduits communicating between the diflerent portions of thesystem. Certain pertions 01' the dry cleaning machine and lint trap arecutaway in order to show interior constructions, and fans, cooling coilsand heating coils are not shown in the upper part of the casing l5.

Fig. 2 isa cross-sectional view taken generally .on the, bent line 2-2of Fig. 3, some parts being 7 parts being shown in section, 01' one ofthe inthe washing container or J terior doors located in tumbler 25.Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view, some parts being shown in elevation,taken along the line 8-001 Fig. 7. r

Fig. 91s a schematic diagram indicating an alternate form ior theinterior partition or baille member in the washing container or tumbler.

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the improved" dry cleaning unit,showing the control switches and the power inlet connections forsupplyin power for operating the fans.

, Referring specifically to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, it is apparent that myimproved dry cleaning apparatus (represented generally by the numerall4) involves certain operating members, all positioned within a unitarycasing represented by the numeral l5. This casing, which may be formedof sheet steel or other metal, is divided into a lower compartment orsolvent sump tank represented by the nuineral'i8by means of the bentpartition II. In the upper portion IQ of the compartment 23 there arepositioned fans,- cooling coils and heating coils. A bent supportingbracket 28 provides a supporting means for this equipment positioned inthe; upper part of the single compartment 23 in which all essentialoperations including washing, drying, and solvent recovery are carriedout. This bracket is provided with a perforated portion 22 through whichair currents may circulate. As shown, there are provided gage glass I33and hand hole l2 (for affording access to the sump) in the sumpcompartment 15.

The compartment 23, which comprises that part within the casinglocatedabove the partition l'l', contains the rotating cylindricalwasher element, garment container, or tumbler 25. As previously stated,in its upper portion I! there are provided heating means, cooling means,and fans, all more fully described below. This wash-v er element isprovided withtwo doors, located at flattened portions 24 of thecylindrical container, which doors are represented generally by thenumerals 28. These doors include certain newand improved lockingelements which will be hereinafter more fully described. Access may begained to either of doors 28 through doors 28 and 23 positioned in theexternal casing I5.

The rotatable cylindrical washer element 25, rotating in the directionrepresented by the arrow, is provided with an internal partition member38 which is generally Z-shaped in form and which is provided withV-shaped bent portions forming a generallydiamond-shaped orrhomboidal-shaped protective member. 3! over the driven shaft 32. Therotatable washer is mounted for rotation with the driven shaft 32. Thedriving means for rotating the washer 25 includes electric driving motorof any suitable form 34, driving belt which may be generally V- it isonly necessary to remove plate 58 which, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2,is bolted to the casing I5.

It will be apparent that fans 43 are surrounded by ring-shaped members5|, while fans 44 are plates, in turn, support the rings 5| and 52surrounding fans and 44. These straps 55 may rest on the bent-overportion 88 of supporting bracket 28. It will be apparent that coolingcoil 48 and heating coil 4! are securely supported at either end by thestraps 55, these strips, in turn,

beingsupported from plates 81 which are rigidly attached to and in factform an extension of casing l5.

As shown, cooling fluid flows into the cooling coil 48 through conduit8|. The cooling liquid, after flowing through the'various portions ofthis coil 40, emerges through conduit 82, in which is positionedthermostat 83. This thermostat controls the thermostatically controlledvalve 85 positioned in outlet conduit 88, and so regulates the rate offlow of water, brine, or other cooling fluid through the cooling coil40.

Heating fluid such as live steam is supplied to the heating coil 4!through inlet conduit 10, in which is positioned the control valve H.After flowing through the various portions of this coil the steam, orother heating fluid, emerges through.

a point adjacent the lateral center of the casing.

shaped in cross section 38, and driven pulley 38. I

A metal grille or other belt guard 31 may sur-" round the belt 38.

The upper portion I! of the unitary compartment 23 into which casing I5is divided by partition l1 and supporting bracket 28, contains.

finned cooling coils 40 and heating coils 4|. Air is circulated throughthese coils by means of fans 43 and 44 driven respectively by electricmotors 48 and 41. As shown, both cooling coil. 40 and heating coil 4!are provided with flns to secure more satisfactory'radiation. It isapparent that ,these elements are all positioned in the unitary singlecompartment 23 in which all essential dry cleaning and solvent recoveryoperations are carried out.

. Driving motor 48 for fan 43 is securely held, as.

This low point ineflect forms a sump for condensed vapors of drycleaning solvent, which sump is drained by conduits Tl, one conduitextending, as shown, each side of the dry cleaning apparatus. Theseconduits lead to a water separator, as will be more fully describedhereinafter.

The driving connection between pulley 38 and rotatable washer element25, as shown in Fig. 3,

comprises bearing 18 securely held in place by collar 88. As thisdriving connection may be of any standard form, it is unnecessary todescribe it in further detail.

Spray pipe or solvent distributor pipe 83 is provided within thecompartment 23 closely adjacent rotatable washer 25. As will be morefully apparent hereinafter, liquid solvent is forced out through aplurality of spray nozzles in this pipe.

into contact with the fabrics or garments being cleaned within therotatable washer 25 through the perforated walls of the latter.

The operation of the dry cleaning apparatus and of the associatedsolvent recovery and solvent treatment equipment will now be described,with. particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 4. As shown particularly inFigs. land 4, liquid solvent which is iorcedinto the central or washingcompartment 23 through solvent spray pipe 83, after flowing through theclothes within the washer 25, may collect to form a layer of a fewinches depth supported by'the bent partition l1. It is of coursepossible to control the rate at which solvent is supplied to the spraypipe 83 by the pump 91 so that no pool of liquid solvent collects onpartition plate I i1. From the lowermost portion of this to corrosion.In addition to removing the lint which may be present in the solvent asthe result of treating fabrics with that solvent, the solvent may betreated in said lint trap 9| with solvent treatment agents, which mayconveniently be placed within the perforated basket and the solventbrought into contact therewith.

After flowing through the perforated removable basket 92 of lint trap9|, thesolvent fiows through conduit 94 into the sump chamber I0, thissump 'chamber constituting the lowermost compartment of casing I5, thecompartment positioned below partition I1. The removalof solvent fromthis sump compartment I is accomplished by means of conduit 90 leadingto pump 91. This line 94 is controlled by valve 99 and check valve I00,which check valve, while permitting solvent to flow out from the sump tothe pump 91, prevents solvent flowing back into the sumpin the reversedirection.

The solvent removed from the sump. I6 is pumped by pump 91 throughconduit I02 to either filter I 03 (filter No. 1) or filter I 04 (filterNo. 2). The purpose and operation of these filters, which may be of leaftype and of which two are shown but a greater number may be present ifdesired, are more fully described hereinafter. Access to filter I03 isafiorded through conduit I00 controlled by valve I 08, while access tofilter I04 is through conduit I00 controlled by valve I09. Either valveI09 or valve I09 maybe closed, thus allowing the solvent to be forced toeither filter I03 or filter I04, as desired.

. As shown, there is also provided conduit III controlled by valve I I2and extending. from conduit I02 to lint trap.9I. g The purpose of thisby-,- pass line H0, and its operation in the solvent recovery andpurification operations, will be made more fully apparent hereinafter. a

After passing through filter I09 the filtered solvent emerges throughconduit H4 provided with check valve H5. Similarly, after filtration infilter I04, the solvent emerges through line H6 provided withcheck'valve II1. These check valves, while permitting solvent to fiowout of the filters and thus to conduit III, prevent the fiowing ofsolvent back into the filters. As shown, there are also provided outletconduits HI and I23 from filters I03 and I04 respectively, these outletconduits being provided with quick opening valves I22 and I24. Theseconduits serve. to permit complete drainage of the solvent in thefilters, as desired, the drained solvent returning to lint trap 9|through conduit I20. As shown more particularly in connection with therepresentation of filter No. 1 (I03) in Fig. 4 of the drawings, whensolvent is withdrawn through outlet In (or through outlet I23 inconnection with filter I 04), it isnot filtered but serves to wash downthe filter aid material and associated impurities removed during thefiltration from filterelements represented generally by the numeral. I01. a

After fiowing intoconduit III the solvent is returned to either the linttrap 9| or to the dry cleaning machine represented generally by-thenumeral I 4, as desired. Conduit H9 is provided with sight glass I21,through which the clarity of eilluent side of the sight glass there isprovided a branched conduit, conduit I29 provided with valve I30permitting return of the solvent to the spray pipe 93, while conduit I32provided with valve I33 permits return of the solvent to the linttrap9l.

It is thus apparent that used solvent which finds its way into the sumpI6 via conduit 90,

lint trap 9| provided with brass basket for holdthe filtered solvent maybe observed. On the sump it through conduit ing treatment agent 92, andconduit 94, maybe circulated through either filter No. 1 or filter No. 2as desired, until solvent passing through sight glass l21shows clear andof suificient purity to permit its retumto the spray pipe 83. This isreadily accomplished by keeping valve I30 closed and valve I39 open. Thesolvent, after leaving the sump It will, in this case, now throughconduit I02 to either filter No. 1 or filter No. 2, whichever filter isin the circuit (this being controlled by operation of valves I05 andI09), and thence, after filtration, back through line IIO, sight glassI21, and conduit I92 again to the lint trap 9|. After flowing throughthe lint trap and coming in contact with treating agent which may be'cuit, by pump 91 and conduit I 02. When the solvent passing through thesight glass I21 shows sufiiciently clear, valve I33 may be closed andvalve I30 opened. This will result in the solvent, which hasgbeen pumpedfrom sump It by pump 91 through either filter No. ing directly into thedry cleaning machine I4 through the spray pipe 83, instead of beingagain recirculated for further treatment through the lint trap 9| andwhichever filter happens to be in the circuit. After emerging from thenozzles of the spray pipe 99 the solvent will fiow through the clothespresent in the rotatable washer 25, collect on one ofthe two angled orV-shaped portions formed by the partition 30, collect on bent partitionI1, and will again-be returned to the 90, lint trap 9| with perforatedbasket 92, and conduit 94.

It is apparent that filter No. 1 and filter No. 2

can be used alternately, valve I00 or valve I09 being closed asrequired. If under any circumstances it should be desired, both valvesIOIi=and we may be simultaneously opened, at which time both filters I03and I04 are simultaneously utilized. When the used or impure solvent isemployed for washing down accumulated .filter aid and impurities presentin either filter, the used or impure solvent flowing in through conduitI05 or conduit I00, instead of passing into the interior of thefiltering elements represented generally by the numeral I01 positionedwithin filters I03 and I04, flows over the. outside of these elements,washing down accumulated filter aid and impurities present thereon, andis permitted to emerge from filter I03 or. filter I04 through conduitI2I or conduit I23. This is accomplished by opening valves I22 or I24, athe case may be, the impure solvent flowing back to lint trap 9I throughconduit I25. I

After washing operations are complete, the used or impure solvent isallowed to collect in sump I 6, pump 91 being of course not operated toremove the solvent from this sump. The solvent remaining in thegarments, fabrics, or other goods present in the rotatable washer 25 isremoved therefrom by means of high speed operation of the washer 20, aswill'be more fully described hereinafter. This serves to' extract bycentrifugal action the residual quantities of solvent remaining in thegoods. This solvent as extracted from the garments collects within thecompartment 23 on divided partition I1 and flows into the sump I6through conduit 90, lint trap 9|, perforated basket 92 and conduit 94.

Even after high speed rotation of the rotatable container 25 containingthe garments which have I been washed or dry cleaned, there remain inthese goods substantial quantities of residual solvent.

This residual solvent is removed from the garments by means of a currentof heated air which is circulated through compartment 23 .(Figures.

2 and 3), through perforated portion 22 of supporting bracket 20,cooling coil 40, heating coil 4|, and back as shown through the bladesof fan 44 into the compartment 23. The arrows in Fig. 2 indicate thedirection of this current of circulated air. In order to secure this aircirculation at the end of extraction operations, or if desired at othertimes such as during solvent extraction operations, fans 43 and 44 areoperated by starting motors 46 and 41. Fans 43 serve to pull the airwithin the perforated container 25, through perforated portion 22, andthence through the space surrounding cooling coils 40. Fans 44, arrangedto force a current of air in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig.2, serve to pull the air through the space surrounding heating coils Hand thence return it to the compartment 23. The air, warmed by contactwith the heating coils 4I (ordinarily to a temperature not in excess of100 F.), picks up residual solvent in the form of vapor. This vapor'isremoved from the air stream by condensation when that air stream iscooled by contact with cooling coils 40. During this portion of thesolvent recovery operation cooling liquid such as water, brine, etc. ispermitted to now through cooling coils 40, while steam or other heatedfluid flows through heating coils 4I. It is apparent that by rapidheating of the air stream in contact with coil 4| and by rapid removalof picked-up vapors by condensation when the current of air flowsthrough cooling coil 40, the residual solvent can be remoyed from thefabrics or garments within the washer 25 to a very complete degree.

As shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, the

solvent removed by condensation when the cirv culated air stream comesin contact with cooling coils 4b collects at the low point 50 of thebent supporting bracket 20. From this low point the.

condensed solvent is removed via conduits 11, one of these conduitsbeing positioned at either end of the apparatus. The condensate maycontain substantial quantities of water, and it is thereafter permittedto flow to a water separator ISI.

This water separator is of conventional type,-

the water being separated from the solvent used (such as carbontetrachloride, trichlorethylene or perchlorethylene), by gravityseparation. The water emerges from the water'separator I3I through wateroutlet I33, while the dry cleaning solvent with the water presenttherein removed 'flows out through conduit I34. As shown, there may beprovided valved outlet I36 to permit removal of the condensed solventfreed from water at this point if desired. This outlet permits readydraining of solvent fromthe system when the system is to be drained.

However, after leaving the water separator I3 I in normal operation thecondensed solvent will flow back to lint trap 9| through conduit I34.

cleaningapparatus will now be apparent.

ments. Asfshown, return line I34 is provided with anair and vapor ventI38, so that no difliculty with displaced air is experienced inreturning the condensate to the lint trap 9| via conduit 4..

The operation of my new and improved dry In order to carry out thewashing or dry cleaning step of operation, container 25 is rotated untileither of doors 28 is in registry with either door 22 or door 25. Door28 or door 29 is then opened, affording access to either of doors 25,which is likewise opened. The container is filled by placing therein anequal weight of garments in each compartment of the rotatable washerinto which the washer is divided by imperforate Z-shaped' partition 20.Itis desirable to have approximately the same weight of clothes orfabrics in each compartment in order to avoid the development ofexcessive stresses due to lack of balance during high speed operations.

Pump 91 is now started and solvent, collected from previous dry cleaningoperations in sump I6, is circulated through conduit I02. either throughfilter I03 or filter I04, through conduit II8, sight glass I21, andthence in either one of two directions: either back to the filter viaconduit I32 controlled by valve 2 I8, and lint trap 9|; or, if thesolvent shows sufiiciently clear in sight glass I21, into the spray pipeof the dry cleaning apparatus 83 through conduit I29 controlled by'valveI30. After the pump is started in practice the olvent is forced througheither filter IM or I04, as desired, and the solvent recirculatedthrough the filter via conduit I32, lint trap SI and conduit 94,returning back to sump I6, until the solvent as viewed through the sightglass appears to be clear and sufllciently pure to permit its use-fordry cleaning. When the clarity of the solvent is sufficiently high,valve I 30 is opened and valve I33 is closed, the clarified solventbeing then forced through conduit I29 into spray pipe 83.

When the solvent is sufliciently pure to permit of its being forcedthrough spray pipe 83 and utilized for dry cleaning, the rotatablewasher 25 is caused to rotate about the axis defined by shaft 32 bystarting motor 34. It has been found that with oontainer25 having adiameter of about 40 inches, the container should be rotated at a speedof 32 to 65 revolutions per minute. Under these conditions, the solventbeing continuously forced in through spray pipe 83 by the agency of pump91, there will collect liquid solvent at two levels; part on theV-shaped portions of the Z-shaped partition 30 having the diamond shapedportions 3|; and part on the dividing partition l1. The rotating tumbleris thus caused to move through this reservoir of dry cleaning solvent,part of the solvent being picked up by imperforate partition 30- andbeing positively forced through the garments. Of course it is notnecessary to pump solvent at such a rate that a pool of solvent collectson partition I1, as the liquid sprayed in trap 9i, through theperforated basket in the lint trap containing solvent treatmentmaterials wherein it is purified to a substantial extent, and

then back into sump I 8 through pipe 84. From,

this sump it is again recirculated through whichever filter is in thecircuit and back through sight glass I21 into spray pipe ll. In this waythe washing operation may be continued asjlong as desired. In practiceit is carried out for a sum- 'clent length of time to thoroughly removeall ever, the garments or fabrics withinthe container 25 still containsubstantial quantities of liquid solvent, and a large part of thisliquid solvent is removed from the fabrics or garments by high speedrotation of the container 25, this high speed rotation serving to removethe solvent by centrifugal extraction In order to secure 'thishigh speedrotation, the motor 34 is caused to operate at a higher speed thanthespeed employed during washing operations. I have found that with awasher ,of about 40 inches diameter, speeds ranging from 150 to 6001revolutions per minute will accomplish the desired extraction ofsolventfrom the fabrics or garments within from three to five minutes.In order to secure rotation at fairly low speeds for washing androtation at substantially higher speeds for extraction or solventrecovery, I have found that the use of an ordinary shunt-wound electricmotor, wherein the speed of rotation is controlled by means of aresistance in the-field circuit of the motor, is to be preferred. Ofcourse, my invention is not restricted to the use of such electricmotor,as

any other means for securing low speed rotation for washing and higherspeeds of rotation for extraction may advantageously be adopted. The

solvent extracted from the goods by centrifugal extraction will collecton partition plate I1 and is thence returned to sump It via conduit 80,lint trap SI, and conduit 84.

At the end of the extraction operations, which will in commercialmachines usually require-approximately from three to five minutes forthe usual-type of fabrics encountered in commercial dry cleaningoperations, there stillzremain considerable quantities of solvent inthe. fabrics or garments. Accordingly, rotation of the container 25 isnow returned to low speed, and fans ll and 44 are started. As previouslyexplained, air is heated by means of heatingooils ll, is circulated viafan 44 through the garments positioned within container 28 and thence,through perforated portion 22 of bracket 20, fan 43, and cool-' ingcoils 40, back to the heating coils II. when the heated air passesthrough the garments it .picks up considerable quantities of the solvent.in the form of vapor, and these vapors are conremoved from thegarments, which garments can then be taken out of container 2| inabsolutely dry condition. The condensed solvent passes out During thisdrying period the process of solvent purification, involving treatmentof the solvent tageously carried out. It is evident that by purifyingthe solvent during the drying period, or period of operation wherein theresidual solvent is vaporized and removed from the; garments,

considerable timein the complete 'dry cleaning I and solvent" recoveryprocess is saved. In addition to this important saving in time, boththespace required by the complete unit and the numberof individual parts'orelements needed to carry out dry 'cleaninga'nd solvent purificationoperations are reduced to a minimum. 1

I After the washing and extraction steps and during the drying periodthe solvent purification process is-. carried out by the introductioninto thelint basket 820i trap SI of a suitable amount of a chemicalcomposition adapted to, purify the drycleaningsolvent. It is notnecessary to touch any of ,the valves orequipment which regulateorcontrol the washing or, extraction operations, the solventfiowingfromsump it through pipe 8 8, valvesfland I00, and pump 91 into conduitI02. The .pump 91 is operated,'which, of course, does not in any wayinterfere with the drying process then taking place within the drycleaningimachine I4. I

On entering the conduit I02, the solvent may pens to be in circuit, ifeithervalve I08 or I llll is open. Eitherfvalve I22 or valve I24 beingopen, the solvent may then flow into the trap ,II through conduit I 25.However, it is not necessary that the solvent go through either of .70through conduits TI, to water separator Ill, and

thence through lint trap ll back to sump II.

by chemical and mechanical action, is advan- 76 the filters, as whenvalve H2 is opened the solvent will iiow through conduit H0 into thetrap II, wherein it comes into contact with the solvent purificationcomposition present in the basket l2. The solvent then flows back intosump I8 through conduit. The result is that at the same time a load offabrics or garments is drying in compartment 23, the solvent undergoes aprocess of mechanical and chemical purification in compartment IS. Thecontinuous agitation and mixture of compoundand solvent will cause theabsorption, in proportion to the extent of the agitation, of alldeleterious impurities such as dirt, oils, coloring matters, acids, etc.present in the solvent. In this way the solvent is maintained constantlyin the pure state, this purification taking place without'any loss oftime during the drying step, thus rendering unnecessary the stopping ofthe continuous operations-carried out in my dry cleaning unit fordistillation of the solvent It will be appreciated that by avoidingthenecessity for distilling the solvent, not only is considerable timesaved in continuous dry cleaning operations, but alsov the costattendant distillation isentirely eliminated.

It is evident that by positioning all elements essential for cleaning,extracting residual solvent, drying and recovering residual solventwithinthe single compartment 23 of the casing I! it is possible tocontrol the air circulation and the moisture removal in a novel andimproved manner. Because the rotatable washer 25, fans 13 and 44,cooling coils l0 and'heating coils 4| are all positioned within asinglecompartment it is apparent that no vacuumor pressure can becreated therein, regardless of the amount of air in'circulation. It isalso possible to have the air forced into circulation by eitherthe frontfans 43, the back fans 44, or ..by both sets of fans together. Thispermits the precise control of conditions of humidity and heating. Forexample, if the front fans 43 are operated alone with moderate heating,the natural humidity will not be extracted from the fabrics. The air isnot, under these circumstances, positively forced through the fabrics orgarments. At the same time, it is possible to control exactly the amountof air which is circulated. If the back fans 44 are operatedalone, agreater degree of heating is applied directly to the fabrics or garmentsand the drying period thus reduced and a greater amount of humidityremoved from the garments. If all fans are operated, a balancedcondition is created. Under such circumstances, a maximum amount of airis circulated, which greatly shortens the drying period, without,however, excessive removal of the moisture present in the garments.

At the conclusion of washing, extraction, and

, to place the filter (say filter No. 1) in condition for furtheroperations, and this may even be done while utilizing filter No. 2(previously treated to refit it for further use) for filtering solventto be used in the dry cleaning.

when reconditioning filter No. l, for example, for further use, the usedsolvent, instead of bein8 filtered therein and withdrawn through conduitI I4 and valve I II,-is drawn out by opening quickopening valve I22. Thesolvent, containing the washed-down filter aid materialsuspendedtherein, flows out through conduit I2I and back'to the linttrap 9I via conduit I25. After passing into the lint trap, it comes intocontact with the solvent treatment material held in perforated basket 92and is subieced to purification. After purification, it fiows back tosump I through conduit 94 and is reused'for dry cleaning. It is ofcourse evident that used solvent may be permitted to wash downaccumulated filter aid and other impurities present, for example, infilter No. 1, while filter No. 2 is simultaneously being utilized forthe filtration of the solvent and even while the filter solvent is beingforced through spray pipe 83 in dry cleaning operations carried outwithin the machine. When so utilizing the used or impure solvent to washdown the accumulated filter aid material, valves -I00 and I09 are bothopen. Valve I22 is similarly'opened, while valve I24 is closed.Accordingly, used or impure solvent is passed downwardly through filterNo. 1 (I03) and fiows-out through conduit I2I back to lint trap 9 I.Solvent is also simultaneously fiowing into filter No. 2 (I04) throughconduit I00, but since valve I24 is closed, this solvent is forcedthrough the filter elements I01 of filter No. 2 (I04) and fiows outthrough conduit H6 in filtered conditiom' After flowing through conduitH6, it is of course returned to sight glass I21 via conduit H9 and may,as desired, either be recirculated by further filtration in filter No. 2(I04) via lint trap 9|, or it may be permitted to fiow into .the drycleaning machine through spray pipe 03 and employed for washingoperations. It is thus evident that I may simultaneously utilize onefilter for filtering solvent, this solventbeing repeatedly .refllteredand treated with material in perforated basket 92 until sufilcientlyclarified before beingallowed to pass into spray pipe u of the drycleaning apparatus, while the other filter is simultaneously beingprepared, by washing down the accumulated filter aid material andadsorbed impurities therein, for later reuse. Eachfilter can thereforebe alternately used for filtering operations, the previously used filterbeing simultaneously washed down and prepared 7 for later reutilization.

The construction or doors 20 and 20 positioned in the external casing Ilis-shown in detail in Figs. 5

and nuts I42,

The bolts I40 are provided at one end with a ring-shtped portion whichencircles the bolt I, while at the other end there are provided screwthreads. There are two of these bolts mounted for pivotal movement aboutthe pin I, one at either side of the door which is represented generallyby thenumeral I41. There is provided a hand wheel I49 ateither end,which hand wheel is designed to screw down tightly on the bolt I40.Thishand wheel bears against the bracket members I53. It is evident thatwhen it is desired to release the door 1,. it is merely necessary toloosen hand wheels I40 until bolts I40 can be moved laterally out of theslot IBI formed in the bracket members I03. These bracket members I53are rigidly secured to the door I41 and in eifect constitute .lugs orextension ears on that When it is desired to open the door, hand wheelsscrewed down after bolts 0 are seated in slots iii of lugs IN.

The door I41 may be formed of metal, but is also preferably providedwith a cork gasket Ill, which forms a tight seal between the door I41and the extension portion I" of easing I! in which is positioned theopening into the casing constituting the door. The cork Basket III maybe held in place by means of a metal plate I00. 7

By opening either of the external doors "or 2!, access is gained to thedoors 29 positioned in the inner rotating cylindrical washer element.These doors are shown in detail, together with their locking means, inFigs. 7"and 8.

As shown, there are attached to the perforated wall of the cylindricalwasher element 20 bracket members I10, which stifien the bent-overportions I12 of the wall of the washer element. An extension of thecasingof this washer element, represented by the numeral I12, provides adoor bearing extending entirely around the periphery of the dooropening. It isagainst this bearing that which angle portion is rigidlyattached to and forms a handle by which the door may be held for openingor closing. This door I" is mounted r in position,

for pivotal movement around the axis defined by the rod I18.

The members I88 are generally T-shaped in cross-section, formed with anupstanding flange, and are positioned one at either end of the doorstructure. These members I88 are rigidly secured to the casing of thecylindrical washer element 2 5. As shown, there is provided a curvedslot I82 in the upstanding leg of each of these T-.

I shaped members. Into this slot operating rod I84 fits for the purposeof securely locking the door Bronze housing members I85 are rigidlysecured as by brazing or bolting to the perforated door I15. Each ofthese housing members I85 is adapted to retain a reciprocable rod I88which operates against the action of spring I88. As shown, there are twoof these bronze housing members, each provided with a spring I88 againstwhich reciprocable bolt I86 may be pressed. As shown, in each of thebolts I86 there is provided a projection I81 adapted to travel in slotsI88 in the bronze housing members I85. In this way the travel of thebolts I88 in the housing members I85 may be controlled.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 7, the rod I84, which is employed asa handle when the door is locked or unlocked, is securely attached bymeans of sleeves I8I to the reciprocable rods I85. It is evident thatwhen it is desired to open the door the rod I84 is pulled downwardly,thus pressing bolts I88 downwardly against the action of springs I88 andpermitting the rod I84 to be withdrawn from the curved slot I82 in theT- shaped members I88. This permits the angle I11 to be grasped and thedoor I15 to be opened, this door rotating with the rod I18 as a pivot.On the other hand, when the door is to be closed, rod I84 is presseddownwardly, reciprocable rods I88 being pressed downwardly against theaction of springs I88, until the rod I84 is seated in the slot I82. Itis there held in spring-pressed engagement, and forms a positive lockingmeans, P ieventing the door from opening no matter at what speed theinner container 25 is rotated, until it is desired to open'the door. Inthis waythe danger of the door I15 being opened unexpectedly duringwashing or extraction operations is avoided, and the door will withstandpressure during extraction operations.

As shown, the housings I85 may be secured by bolts I83 to the rod I18which serves as a bearing for the door I15 when it is rotated duringopening or closing. This rod I18, as well as operating rod I84, may beprovided at its ends with nuts It is evident I that the constructionshown provides asimply which are screw-threaded in place.

constructed, efl'icient door-operating mechanism, which preventsundesired opening of the door during washing or extraction operations,but which is readily operated manually when it is I desired to open thedoors 28 to gain access to circumference of the washer As shown, thethree termini 281 of these portions 288 of the partitions I85 are spacedat substantially 128 from each other around the circumference of theelement 25. As shown, there is also Provided a timer 2I1, by which theperiod of rotation of the tumbler at any speed of rotation may becontrolled.

The process of drycleaning carried out inthe washer or tumbler 25provided with imperforate Z-shaped partition 38 may be briefly describedas follows. This process results in improved cleaning action andconstitutes a distinct advance over those washing methods now practicedin washing and dry cleaning operations.

It is evident from the construction of the Z- shaped partition itselfthat the garments or clothes within the tumbler 25 are dropped twiceduring each revolution of the container. The projections formed by therhomboidal or diamond-shaped partition 8i prevent the garments fromsliding downtheimperforate surface of the partition, and thus insure thefree dropping of the garmentsin each compartment of the rotary washer. a

Since partition 88 is without perforations, it is evident that thegarments receive two saturationswith solvent during each revolution ofthe rotary drum 25. The garments are first saturated with pure filteredsolvent in the form of spray, which filtered solvent flows from thesolvent spray pipe 88 and into the rotary washer through theperforations in the walls thereof. As solvent collects on the partitionI1, it is evident that during the downward motion or movement of thepartition 88 through this layer, of solvent, solvent is scooped upthrough the perforated wall of the container 25, this scooping actionoccurring during that phase of the rotation of the washer wherein themotion of the partition is changed from a downward motion to upward.motion. Solvent in the form of spray is thus brought into contact withthe clothes during one phase of the rotatioinwhile solvent is forcedover the garments by the scooping action of the Z-shaped partition(solvent being scooped up from the layer which accumulates on thepartition plate I1), during the other half of the rotation.

My improved washing method thus insures two drops of the clothes foreachcomplete revolution of the rotary drum, these drops beingpractically the full diameter of the drum. Sliding of the clothes downthe partition is of course prevented by the diamond-shaped patrition 8|The clothes are brought into contact with solvent twice durin! eachrevolution of the drum, first with pure filtered solvent issuing fromthe solvent spray pipe 88, and then with solvent collecting on thepartition I 1 as th result of the positive scooping action of theZ-shaped partition 88. It is evident that by providing two drops Derrevolution, and two saturations of the goods with solvent during eachcomplete rotation, the maximum washing action is secured. This actionconstitutes a distions now known in the art, whether that washing actionbe secured with a vertical agitator such as is used in certain types ofdomestic washing machines, by means of a drum provided with inner ribs,or by means of a'drum provided with a partition which is not of Z-shapedform. When a vertical agitator is utilized, not only is satisfactorywashing action not obtained, but the amount of agitation necessary tosecure even a small degree of washing emciency is extremely harmful tofabrics possessing a high pile such as velvet and camel's hair. Thecommon drum provided with a number of inner ribs secures its maximumcleansing action only when reversing, and then only when the number ofreversals does not exceedtwo or three per minute. In addition to poorwashing action, the necessity for periodic reversal makes for relativelyinefiicient mechanical action. When a partition is provided in thedropping of the garments or fabrics through the compartment of thewashing container and the solvent therein is not secured. Mere slidingaction does not result in positive dropping such as is attained by theuse of my improved Z-shaped partition with a diamond-shaped centralportion. Sliding of the fabrics on the partition, characteristic ofthose methods now in use not utilizing a Z-shaped'partltion, is notcapable of efiective washing. It is of course evident that if more thantwo partitions are present in the drums of this character now known tothe art the mechanical action is correspondingly reduced to a drop sincethe clothes ar restricted to a distance of not exceeding the radius ofthe drum, instead of to a drop substantially equivalent in distance tothe diameter.

When employing my improved Z-shaped partition, it is sometimes possible,as shown in Fig. 9,

tlnct improvement over the types of washing acresult of the scoopingaction of the partitions more effective washing action is secured, andit is therefore possible in some instances to operate with less dropthan is provided by the form of rotary drum shown in Figure 2.

The construction shown in Figure 9 is practical for load capacities of'75 pounds and over. When constructing a 50 pound washer (a washercapable of handling 50 pounds of garments per load), the diameter may beapproximately onehalf that of a 300 pound washer, while the ratio of therespective volumes of the rotary drums in each instance will beapproximately as 1 is to 6.

To those skilled in the art many modifications and widely differentembodiments and applications of my invention in the general fields ofwashing and dry cleaning fabrics and/or garments will be readilyapparent. The descriptions of my improved dry cleaning machine, drycleaning system and-dry cleaning methodas given herein are intended tobe illustrative and not restrictive, since various changes may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Itis intended that the invention is not to be restricted to specificembodiments, specific details, or specific modes of operation other thanas necessitated by the prior art and appended claims.

I claim: I

1. In dry cleaning apparatus of the character described, an outercasing, a rotatable washer element positioned in said outer casing,means supporting said rotatable washer element for rotation in saidouter casing, a stepped imperforate Z-sha'ped partition dividing saidrotatable washer into two similar compartments, said ro- 4. itsperiphery.

to provide more than one partition and still insure dropping the clothesan effective distance.

This is attributable to the improved characteristics of the Z-shapedpartition and to the improved washingaction secured during dry clean ingoperations in the improved process. This results in the securement ofmore efiicient'washing with less drop than is attained with thosemachines now in use in the industry which do the distance of drop issomewhat less than the diameter of the washer, it is evident that it isstill substantially greater than the radius of the drum. As previouslypointed out, as the direct 2. Indry cleaning apparatus of'the'characterdescribed, an outer casing, a rotatable washer element, said rotatablewasher element being mounted on a shaft passing through its longitudinal'axis thereof, bearing means supporting said shaft for rotation in saidouter casing, a s epp d element covering said shaft within saidrotatable washer, stepped partition members dividing said rotatablewasher into a plurality of I similar compartments, the periphery of saidrotatable washer including a pair of identical arcuate portions spacedfrom each other by fiat offset portions, said arcuate portions beingperforate and said partition members and fiat portions beingimperforate.

3. In a dry cleaning apparatus, a rotatable washer, a shaft extendinglongitudinally through said rotatable washer, said rotatable washerbeing mounted for rotation about the axis defined by said shaft. animperforate Z-shaped partition positioned within said rotatable washerand dividing said washer into a plurality of compartments of similarshape, said Z-shaped partition being provided with -a diamond-shapedportion surrounding said longitudinally extending shaft.

MARIO BUSI.

